The question of whether individuals who have completed legal apprenticeships in jurisdictions like Canada, Australia, the UK, and certain US states, and have passed the Ghana School of Law exams, should be recognized as lawyers in Ghana is a valid one.
In Ghana, the Legal Profession Act focuses on passing specific subjects rather than necessarily holding an LLB degree for admission to the Ghana School of Law. This suggests that the Ghanaian legal system recognizes alternative paths to becoming a lawyer.
If individuals have completed legal apprenticeships in recognized jurisdictions and have passed the Ghana School of Law exams, it’s likely they have demonstrated sufficient knowledge and skills to practice law in Ghana. The emphasis on passing specific subjects rather than requiring an LLB degree implies that the Ghanaian legal system values competence and knowledge over specific academic credentials.
The recognition of these individuals as lawyers in Ghana would depend on the specific circumstances and the interpretation of the Legal Profession Act. However, it’s clear that the Ghanaian legal system is designed to accommodate alternative paths to becoming a lawyer, prioritizing competence and knowledge over traditional academic requirements.